"Virtual Dome" Over Super Bowl Stadium

Kelly Cobiella: Security Ramped Up Big-Time For Big Game In Tampa; Will Economy Hold Down City's Tourism Take?

(CBS)  Super Bowl XLIII will be the first in Tampa, Fla., since 9/11, with some 100,000 guests and 4,500 media members flocking to town.

And security will be ratcheted up accordingly, reports CBS News correspondent Kelly Cobiella.

The game zone, she says, will become a safe zone, with no civilian aircraft allowed within 30 miles of Raymond James Stadium.

"We need to be able to maneuver for law enforcement purposes," explained the U.S. Customs Service's Richard Rojas.

And on the ground, says Cobiella, only ticketholders and the media will be permitted to get close.

"We're trying to create almost a virtual dome," says Tampa Police Maj. John Bennett. "We want to protect the land space, the air space, everything we can."

And they'll keep a virtual eye on it all with a new, hi-tech tabletop map showing maneuverable, wide, aerial views - a Super Bowl first.

"If we have a threat or a risk or a hazardous device or anything else," says Bennett, "I can figure out the proximity, what my resources are, and how to adjust those resources."

The cost of it all for Tampa: $300,000, money well-spent in the eyes of city tourism officials, who hope their guests will more than make up for it with a windfall for the city's coffers.

The Tampa Host Committee's Reid Sigmon says they're looking at a potential score of some $300 million, based on prior cities' totals.

But, Cobiella points out, this isn't a typical year, with the economy slumping as badly as it is. Playboy and Sports Illustrated even canceled their annual parties.

And Super Bowl regulars say the celebration is subdued.

Asked if things seem different this year, fan Lee Trythal, who says he's been to 12 of the last 13 Super Bowls, told Cobiella, "It seems like there's not as much glitz and glamour" this time around.

Tom Henschel, 67, doesn't go for the glitz or glamour, just the game. He says he hasn't missed a single Super Bowl. He paid only $12 apiece for tickets to the first three. The most he's ever paid: $1,500 dollars to a scalper in 1996.

This year? He lives in Tampa, so the face-value of his ticket ($800) will be his only expense.

To him, though, no price is too high.

"I'll go now until I really can't walk anymore," he says. "Really!"

"Or (until) I can't talk anymore!" he laughed. "Whatever."

[orchucklover]

WHY IS THE GOVERNMENT HELPING THE BANKS AND BUSINESSES AND NOT THE PEOPLE???

WAKE UP PEOPLE!!! CALL YOUR FEDERAL AND STATE REPRESENTATIVES AND START DEMANDING ANSWERS. WHERE IS THE MONEY TAKEN FROM THE PEOPLE, AND WHY IS IT BEING GIVEN TO DYSFUNCTIONAL BANKS??????? WHO RUNS WHO?

DO WE RUN THE GOVERNMENT OR DOES THE GOVERNMENT ROB US OF OUR TAXES FOR THEIR FRIENDS WHO OWN THE BANKS AND BUSINESSES??? OBAMA IS ONE OF THEM, REMEMBER THAT!!! HE IS NOT FOR THE PEOPLE, HE IS AGAINST US AND IS TURNING AMERICA INTO A SOCIALIST COUNTRY.

amen to that.....i smell the down fall of this once Great nation because wealth has corrup our government and local leaders....and the poor perosn gets screwed over everyday

[cbsblogger]

Only in America:

Taxpayers were forced to pay to build the stadiums and the luxury boxes, but only the rich and corporate sponsors can afford to go, and all the while the team owners and players get very wealthy.

[cmp271]

Superbowl, who can afford it??? How much are the players getting to play with a ball, and run around. Homeland Security? Why protect this? There is no terrorism that has not been done to us by our own government to subdue and control the American citizens and take more of our rights away.


WHY IS THE GOVERNMENT HELPING THE BANKS AND BUSINESSES AND NOT THE PEOPLE???

WAKE UP PEOPLE!!! CALL YOUR FEDERAL AND STATE REPRESENTATIVES AND START DEMANDING ANSWERS. WHERE IS THE MONEY TAKEN FROM THE PEOPLE, AND WHY IS IT BEING GIVEN TO DYSFUNCTIONAL BANKS??????? WHO RUNS WHO?

DO WE RUN THE GOVERNMENT OR DOES THE GOVERNMENT ROB US OF OUR TAXES FOR THEIR FRIENDS WHO OWN THE BANKS AND BUSINESSES??? OBAMA IS ONE OF THEM, REMEMBER THAT!!! HE IS NOT FOR THE PEOPLE, HE IS AGAINST US AND IS TURNING AMERICA INTO A SOCIALIST COUNTRY.

I suggest you all read the article about the rioting going on in Europe. It will happen here when the people wake up to the truth. Homeland Security is the equivalent of Hitlers SS. We will be fighting our own military for control of a government that is no longer there for the people but for the bankers and the wealthy. This was done to us on purpose. Watch John Coleman on You Tube and the Committee of 300. The only useless eaters are the wealthy and the bankers!!

[jw218389]

Homeland Security: Stifling the economy by preventing transportation. Why do they need 30 miles??? All they need is a couple Batteries of SAM missles and the requirement that all flights be IFR (instrument Flight Rules). Let''s stop the BUSH silliness AND THINK!!!! Are they banning vans in the parking lot???

That might make more sense....

Is there a 30 mile ban on boats - if you are worried about WMDs - that is a MUCH better platform...

STOP PICKING ON AVIATION!!!!

[inventagod2]

wow

What Homeyland Suckurity won''t do to justify their outrageous salaries...

[mahdeealoo]

Play Superbowl up north? I''ve watched many a game at Lambeau Field when it was made of cement, seating included. Nothing like a frozen butt while you are sipping hot chocolate to try to stay warm. And then it snows on you... But I''d pay to sit in snow and freeze again to see Vince coach and his boys play just one more time.

[piercetheval]

SI and Playboy canceled their parties because it''''s going to be the most boring Superbowl ever, not because of the slumping economy. A company like Sports Illustrated would not cancel a party that epitomizes the sport that supports their coffers in a slumping economy if the game was actually worth watching.


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Posted by spadeisspade at 02:09 AM : Feb 01, 2009


...You think so?...wanna bet? i believe it will be a fairly high scoring game.
Kurt Warner is a real veteran at this game and he''s as competitive as they come...in fact I think the Cardinals are gonna win this thing!

[spadeisspade]

SI and Playboy canceled their parties because it''s going to be the most boring Superbowl ever, not because of the slumping economy. A company like Sports Illustrated would not cancel a party that epitomizes the sport that supports their coffers in a slumping economy if the game was actually worth watching.

[inventagod2]

Indeed.
Bu$hCo did destroy America.
Homeyland Suckurity Rules You.

[Michael Arnold]

Its already a tomb. A tomb of fear.

Love your Police State, Americans.

[endrepubs]

Why can''t they play the Super Bowl up north where there is snow and ELEMENTS to deal with. Us purists would love a snowy cold Super bowl for a change. The way football was meant to be played. Talk about great atmosphere!!

[lewiston14]

It is to bad we have to do this but the day we do not the Stadium could become a tomb.